These are the biggest challenges for buses in winter, and this is how we meet them
Published: 10.11.2025
Updated 01/05/2025
Everyone wants public transportation to run as smoothly as possible – even in the winter.
Ruter collaborates with various bus operators and with road maintainers and snowplow crews. We have a joint plan to keep public transport moving on demanding winter days.
The bus is the heavyweight in traffic
Buses run 16,000 departures every day. That's twice as many as the tram and metro combined. While rail-bound public transport runs on its own tracks, buses have to deal with the surrounding traffic at all times. Buses navigate through narrow streets, steep hills, and the nooks and crannies of our city. Therefore, bus traffic is more vulnerable to winter weather than trams and the metro. That's why it's crucial that we prepare for winter.
Even though all parties are well-prepared, it's inevitable that winter brings weather-related challenges. As a passenger, you can also prepare. See our best tips further down.
The biggest challenges for buses on winter roads
- It is crucial for the flow of traffic that snow plowing and salting are performed well on public transport routes, so that public transport can operate. This also includes necessary follow-up work on sections, to ensure accessibility for buses at the next snowfall.
If large amounts of snow fall during rush hour, it becomes challenging for the snow removal crew to clear it in time. - The majority of Ruter's buses are electric buses. All electric vehicles experience reduced range in sub-zero temperatures. This can lead to a need for the buses to charge more often and for us to have fewer vehicles in use.
- Winter brings varying driving conditions, and buses, like other traffic, will face challenges with slippery roads or demanding driving conditions.
- Delays related to accessibility and traffic jams when it snows heavily.
The most important preparations
- The bus companies have conducted skid training courses and chain fitting courses. The buses has new tires, and they have mapped out alternative routes, and secured extra equipment and staffing.
- The snow removal team has increased capacity with additional snowplows.
- Ruter has improved systems and processes, developed detailed measures down to street level, and strengthened customer service with increased capacity and expertise.
This is how you can prepare
- Always check the journey planner in the Ruter app and on ruter.no for updated information about your trip.
- Keep an eye on the weather forecast and plan well in advance.
- Look for alternative modes of travel. Rail transport can often be an alternative if the buses are not running.
- Dress according to the conditions. On very demanding winter days, it might take a bit longer to wait at the bus stop.
Questions and answers about public transport in winter conditions
What does Ruter do to avoid delays when there is a lot of snow?
The Information and Coordination Center (IOSS) closely monitors the traffic situation and has the ability to reallocate transportation resources as needed. At the same time, we do our best to inform our customers through the journey planner, real-time information, ruter.no, and social media.
We cover a large area that has various challenges, therefore we have prepared different measures for different sections. For example, this could involve deploying a chain-equipped bus on a section where experience shows it is challenging, while the regular bus operates on another, more easily navigable route.
Do the buses have chains?
Yes, buses are legally required to be equipped with chains.
Whether chains should and can be used depends on the situation. It takes time to put on chains, and because it is so time-consuming, the bus is often canceled before the driver has managed to put on all the chains.
During heavy snowfall and lack of plowing, it happens that other vehicles get stuck and block the bus route, and in these cases, chains alone do not solve the problem.
How do we ensure that electric buses operate well during the winter?
Bus operators have implemented many measures here. Now, many of the buses have heaters powered by biodiesel. Consequently, they have a significantly longer range because they don't have to use the battery for heating.
There has been a major upgrade in recent years to the charging infrastructure, so that buses have more and better chargers available. Many buses have also updated software for improved anti-spin function.
What is the distribution of responsibilities between Ruter and the bus companies?
Ruter manages the public transportation in Oslo and Akershus. This means that we, among other things, plan the routes and sell the tickets. Travelers can call Ruter's customer service if they need help.
Those who drive the buses are employed by the bus companies. It is these companies and ultimately the individual driver who have the ultimate responsibility for safety to assess whether it is safe to drive.
Does the travel guarantee apply when delays are due to winter weather?
The travel guarantee applies if you are delayed by more than 20 minutes because we are not on schedule, but not if the delay is due to circumstances beyond Ruter's control. For example, extraordinary weather conditions such as strong winds, heavy rain and heavy snowfall, or conditions we have informed you about in advance . Read more about the travel guarantee here.
Measures to avoid cancellations
Ruter will have detailed measures right down to street level. This means that we have measures for problem areas on a specific line, so that we don't have to suspend the entire line due to local challenges.
This winter, Ruter will also have operational meetings with operators and snowplow crews as soon as a yellow warning is issued.
Better information for travelers
Ruter has enhanced the capacity of customer service with more self-service solutions and the use of artificial intelligence and automation. We have also trained other Ruter employees who can assist when needed.
– When there's a storm outside, the phones are storming too. Good expectation management, travel advice, and timely deviation information to the customers become important in the winter, says Møyfrid Aandstad, who is the director of operations at Ruter.
Even though all parties are well-prepared, it is inevitable that winter presents weather-related challenges.
– Winter will bring challenges, so it's important to be realistic and thus manage the expectations of travelers. At the same time, we will do everything we can to get people to their destinations. Our main advice is to check the app or the journey planner before you travel this winter, concludes Aandstad.